'No rats in playground' — KCA

No rats have been observed in the Kilcullen Community Playground, according to Kilcullen Community Action, writes Brian Byrne.

KCA looks after the facility on behalf of Kildare Community Council. A spokesperson also said that no request has been made to have the playground closed.

This was in response to comments on Facebook in relation to the current concerns about the rats infestation in Pinkeen Stream, which runs on the Kilcullen Community Centre property opposite the playground.

The matter was raised by parents two weeks ago, and Kildare County Council subsequently said it would arrange widespread baiting to deal with the problem.

The Council also noted that control of vermin in the area was also a responsibility of the owners of the property through which the stream runs. There has been no comment on this by the management of Kilcullen Community Centre.

The Diary understands that a representative of Rentokill pest control company has already appraised the situation. However, parents of children who use the area have this week expressed frustration at the apparent no change in the problem.

"It's getting very frustrating for everyone," says Riggy Reid, the parent who first raised the issue publicly two weeks ago. "There were 11 rats there on Saturday morning when I was walking my kids down to the Library. A car stopped and beeped the horn at them, and they scattered everywhere."